For members of Silat Cekak Ustaz Hanafi, Ustaz Hanafi is a great leader in the world of Malay's heritage self-defence art. He is the person who revolutionised and initiate back the heritage of Malays that can protect and defence its learners. He used all his creativities and intelligence rewarded by God to arrange a systematic and sophisticated education and learning system that made it clear to the public the advantages and abilities of silat as a weapon for self-defence. As the first man to be able to put Malay's silat to be adapted to modern management organisation, he is well respected by all either friends or enemies.

Ustaz Hanafi Hj. Ahmad was born at Kampung Sungai Baru, Mukim Gunung, Alor Setar, Kedah in 1923. He obtained his early education in Kampung Gunung Malay school. He continued his education by learning about Islam from several religious teachers at a few small private schools in Kedah. During his process of learning, he realised that Malays also has self-defence arts that is very great and at par with other forms of martial arts. Based on this, Ustaz Hanafi started to travel in order to find a true and effective Malay's martial art. With the permission of God, finally he met En. Yahya Said who was waiting to give the arts to the right person. On 28th December 1965, Silat Cekak was reborn with a new face thanks to the paradigm shift initiated by Ustaz Hanafi. The development of Silat Cekak Ustaz Hanafi today can all be attributed to the efforts of Ustaz Hanafi.

Although Ustaz Hanafi has died on 13th August 1986 at Kuala Lumpur, his efforts and determinations are still fresh in mind until today. He left behind a wife, Maimunah Hj. Othman and six sons and daughters. His efforts are now being continued by his fourth son, Mohd Radzi Hj. Hanafi. May God bless Ustaz Hanafi.